Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster for Melbourne’s qualifying final clash with Manly on Friday night, but flyer Josh Addo-Carr will not take his place in the side.
Neither of the State of Origin representatives have played since Munster suffered a knee injury and Addo-Carr a hamstring setback in the Storm’s surprise loss to the Eels in Round 24
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NRL team lists
FRIDAY
Qualifying final | Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles | 7.50pm (AEST) | Sunshine Coast Stadium
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Isaac Lumelume 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Harry Grant 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Nicholas Hynes 18. Aaron Pene 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Chris Lewis 21. Marion Seve
Analysis: Munster, who’s in line to notch his 150th NRL match, has been named to partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves, while Isaac Lumelume has shifted wing spots to replace Addo-Carr. George Jennings has been named to return to the opposite wing after recovering from a knee injury. Nine’s Danny Weidler has reported that Munster began training with a heavily strapped leg today, before ripping off his tape and running freely. But Weidler revealed that Addo-Carr, for the segment of the session media were allowed to watch, was a bystander. Melbourne have named a host of rested players to return, including Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi and Reimis Smith.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Moses Suli 20. Curtis Sironen 21. Tevita Funa
Analysis: A scan of Manly’s camp shows that Moses Suli has been overlooked by coach Des Hasler for a second week in succession, despite the explosive centre’s exceptional game in Round 23.
SATURDAY
Elimination final | Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans | 5.40pm (AEST) | North Queensland Stadium
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Adam Keighran 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Sam Walker 15. Isaac Liu 16. Egan Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Dale Copley 19. Ben Thomas 20. Ben Marschke 21. Naufahu Whyte
Analysis: Roosters coach Trent Robinson has again opted to use the prodigious Sam Walker as a bench utility, sticking with Lachlan Lam at halfback for Saturday evening’s elimination final. The Roosters’ clash with the Titans will see winger Daniel Tupou make his 200th NRL appearance.
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Erin Clark 15. Sam Lisone 16. David Fifita 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Toby Sexton 20. Greg Marzhew 21. Anthony Don
Analysis: Gun Titans second-rower David Fifita has been named to face the Tricolours but will need a painkilling injection to his ribs.
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Qualifying final | Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs | 7.50pm (AEST) | North Queensland Stadium
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Liam Martin 18. Matthew Eisenhuth 19. Izack Tago 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden
Analysis: The Panthers will be without Scott Sorensen (wrist) and Tyrone May (knee) for their qualifying final match-up against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Braidon Burns 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Patrick Mago
Analysis: The Rabbitohs have welcomed back their long list of rested top-line players, including Damien Cook, Cody Walker, Dane Gagai, Alex Johnston, Cameron Murray and Tom Burgess. Brisbane-bound halfback Adam Reynolds is also set to return for South Sydney after a knee injury wiped him from Round 25.
SUNDAY
Elimination final | Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights | 4.05pm (AEST) | Browne Park
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Haze Dunster 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Ray Stone 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Nathan Brown 14. Will Smith 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Oregon Kaufusi 20. Tom Opacic 21. Jakob Arthur
Analysis: The last game of the opening week of the finals will see Eels coach Brad Arthur reinject a host of key players for his side’s elimination final clash with the Knights on Sunday afternoon. Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Nathan Brown and Isaiah Papali’i are among those who were rested last week but are set to return. Front-rowers Reagan Campbell-Gillard (knee) and Junior Paulo (suspension) have also been named to return for Parramatta.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson 14. Sauaso Sue 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Phoenix Crossland 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Jack Johns
Analysis: The Knights have welcomed back Daniel Saifiti (knee), David Klemmer (ribs) and Sauaso Sue (hamstring).
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